For years, Vicki Kirby sold her hand-made custom crafts in Port Charlotte while working at Joann fabric and craft store. She never dreamed of starting a business at 71, but an unexpected event led her to opening Kirby’s Fabric Korner on March 10 at 4549 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.

Kirby loved her part-time job at Joann. However, on Jan. 17, she learned the store would be closing. First, the Ohio-based big box craft chain closed 300 stores, including three in Southwest Florida.

Inventory from the Port Charlotte store was shipped to Joann stores that remained open, keeping Kirby from purchasing any of it, as only shelving remained.

In February, the company announced it was shuttering all of its 800 stores after filing for bankruptcy for the second time.

Kirby had to reinvent herself, proceeding with her sideline business, Kirby’s Kreative Kraft Korner. She no longer had access to purchasing Joann materials at a discount.

Instead of retiring, she leased a space that was formerly a dog grooming business in a strip mall and opened the doors with very little inventory.

New fabrics arrive regularly, but Kirby’s Fabric Korner sells more than fabric. When she’s not selling fabric, knitting and crocheting materials, Kirby works on memorial teddy bears, dogs and cats. She is commissioned by customers who want to have a stuffed animal made of their loved one’s clothing, such as shirts, and they sell between $25 to $30.

Other crafters offer their custom creations at Kirby’s store.

Patti Linn makes purses out of ties, specializing in custom purses made with the ties of departed loved ones for about $25.

Diana Headley crochets various characters, dolls and animals. The larger characters cost about $30.

Kirby admits the crafters’ projects are labors of love, as the creator’s time spent on each project combined with a reasonable price tag amounts to well below minimum wage.

Kirby also sells her custom coasters, jar openers and pillows and is busy crafting when not waiting on customers.

A sewing, crocheting and crafting aficionado, Kirby said she can focus on those things she loves to do and eventually will host workshops for the community.

As customers came and went, Kirby pointed to the shelves that came from Joann. “They were going to throw them out,” she said.

Unlike Joann, Kirby isn’t selling beads, stamps and ink pads, holiday decor and other nonrelated sewing, crocheting and knitting items. She does custom work, with one customer recently commissioning her to sew a marine fabric window covering for their boat.

Kirby’s Kraft Korner is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.